Chargers vs. Vikings: Full San Diego Game Preview

The San Diego Chargers hope to avoid a second straight loss on the road as they get set to take on the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. The first road game of the 2015 season did not go in San Diego's favor last week as the Chargers fell 24-19 to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Despite his team's shortcomings in Week 2, quarterback Philip Rivers isn't worried about a loss so early in the year, per Ricky Henne of Chargers.com:

"

The season is a marathon. It’s a long year. We’re still building on things we did (well) in Week 1.You keep building and keep going. The last thing we need to do is hang our heads and pout about losing a game in Week 2. We wish we would’ve won, but we’re going into Week 3 at 1-1. There’s a lot to build on and a lot to be excited about. 

"

The Chargers will be making their first visit to TCF Stadium, the temporary home of the Vikings until the completion of their new stadium in 2016. The Vikings have won four consecutive games there dating back to last season, including last week's 26-16 win over their NFC North rivals, the Detroit Lions.

For more on Sunday's matchup, click next.

Week 2 Results and Recap

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The Chargers sabotaged themselves in a loss against the Bengals, committing three turnovers and eight penalties.

The offense had the chance to go down the field in the final minutes and get the game-winning touchdown, but Rivers attempted to force a pass to receiver Malcom Floyd in the middle of the field with at least five defenders in the area. Bengals linebacker Vincent Rey picked it off.

"Obviously, against a good opponent it’s tough to go out on the road and turn the football over and commit penalties at critical times of the game," head coach Mike McCoy told reporters after the game. "That makes it tough to win and beat a good football team. We have to do a better job in both areas there and not turn it over."

On a lighter note, Rivers completed his 255th career touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson, passing Hall of Famer Dan Fouts for the most passing touchdown in team history. He finished with two scores and 241 yards passing.

News and Notes

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Best Friends Meet on the NFL Gridiron

Chargers running back Melvin Gordon and Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes have been best friends since their freshman year of high school, and as ESPN.com's Ben Goessling writes, Sunday's matchup is a dream come true for the rookies.

Selected just four spots apart in the first round of this year's draft, Gordon and Waynes have been looking forward to the chance of sharing the same field together in the NFL. For more on the friendship between Gordon and Waynes, check out this feature by NFL Network.

Johnnie Troutman, D.J. Fluker Could Return in the Next Couple of Weeks

Injured guards Troutman (arm) and Fluker (ankle) are expected to be back sometime in the next couple of weeks, according to Michael Gehlken and Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The offensive line struggled with converted tackle Chris Hairston getting the start at right guard last week against the Bengals, but the possibility of Troutman and Fluker returning around the same time gives San Diego options to play around with.

Ladarius Green Dealing With Second Concussion This Month

The unfortunate news that Green had suffered a concussion against the Bengals, per Gehlken, has put the Chargers in a difficult position on offense. Green has been in good form through the first two games while starting in place of suspended veteran Antonio Gates, but with this being his second concussion in a span of 11 days, the team must place extreme caution on his availability for Sunday.

That said, John Phillips and David Johnson, the tight ends who are next in line to replace Green, combined for two catches all of last season. Green, meanwhile, has managed 10 with one touchdown in two games this year.

Latest Injury News

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Player	Position	Injury
Tourek Williams	OLB	Foot
Johnnie Troutman	OG	Arm
D.J. Fluker	OG	Ankle
Jacoby Jones	WR	Ankle
Chris Watt	C	Groin
Kyle Emanuel	OLB	Shoulder
Chris Hairston	OG	Knee
Ladarius Green	TE	Concussion
Jahleel Addae	SS	Ankle

The team's website reports Williams, Troutman, Fluker, Jones, Watt and Addae did not practice on Wednesday. Emanuel and Hairston were full participants, and Green was limited.

Watt is optimistic he'll be able to return to practice this week, per Marty Caswell of The Mighty 1090 AM, but if he doesn't, backup Trevor Robinson could make his first start of the season. The situation with Green and Fluker was discussed in the previous slide. John Phillips would start at tight end if Green is a no-go, and Chris Hairston will likely make his second straight start at right guard with Fluker still nursing a high-ankle sprain.

Jimmy Wilson, who started for Addae last week and played well in that role, would once again be the starting safety alongside Eric Weddle if Addae does not recover. Jones' status is still uncertain, and it was clear the Chargers needed him on special teams last week after Keenan Allen muffed the opening punt, which resulted in a turnover. Despite his costly mistake, Allen would probably still take on the responsibility of returning punts should Jones miss his second straight game.

Courtesy of Chargers.com.

Key Matchups

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Chargers Defense vs. Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson

Then-rookie Adrian Peterson once embarrassed the Chargers in 2007 as he rushed for a single-game record 296 yards in a 35-17 Vikings win, and though eight years have passed, the All-Pro running back and former NFL MVP is still a threat to have a big game against San Diego.

Last week, the defense gave up 123 yards rushing to Bengals running back Giovani Bernard, who crossed the century mark for just the second time in his career. Meanwhile, Peterson is coming of a 134-yard performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 2.

Chargers Defensive Coordinator John Pagano vs. Vikings Offensive Coordinator Norv Turner

Norv Turner served as head coach of the Chargers for six seasons, the last of which he promoted John Pagano to his current position. Now in his second season as Minnesota's offensive coordinator, Turner faces Pagano and his former team for the first time since San Diego fired him in 2012.

Asked who has the competitive advantage, Rivers said during Wednesday's press conference:

"

I don’t know if there is one. It’s funny, I kind of jokingly with Pags today said, ‘Hey, the two of you have dress rehearsed this for I don’t know how many times (with) hundreds of practices out here on the field.’ Obviously Pags was calling the defenses and Norv was calling offenses out here in practice and training camps. All those good battles, so I don’t know if there is a competitive advantage either way.

"

Matchup X-Factor

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Chargers' X-Factor of the Week: Melvin Gordon

Gordon broke off three runs of at least 20 yards against the Bengals, showcasing the big-play ability he was drafted for, but the coaching staff went to him less often in the second half because, as McCoy explained to reporters during Monday's press conference, "the flow of the game" dictated it.

Going up against last season's 25th-ranked rush defense, the flow of the game should call for more Gordon, and that's why he's this week's X-factor.

Prediction: Vikings 26, Chargers 22

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The Vikings are 2.5-point favorites to beat the Chargers on Sunday, according to Odds Shark, and with Peterson playing as well as he did last week, it's easy to see why. The Bolts had a difficult time stopping the run a week ago, and that was against a lesser back in Bernard. Peterson is bigger, stronger and far more dominant than what the Chargers have faced in the running game so far this season, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater can be difficult to plan for with his ability to make plays with his arm and legs.

Also worth noting is the Vikings defense, which owns six sacks through the first two games. San Diego's offensive line has not been solid up to this point, especially after giving up four sacks last week in Cincinnati. The Chargers lose but not by much, while the Vikings continue to win games at home.

Prediction: Vikings 26, Chargers 22